Rishtey Cineplex to launch in UK on 29 Sep as FTA

MUMBAI: Viacom18 will launch its Hindi movie channel Rishtey Cineplex in the UK on 29 September.

Distributed by IndiaCast Media Distribution, the channel will be available on free-to-air (FTA) basis on Sky Network on channel #797.

This will be the third channel from Viacom18 portfolio to be launched in the UK.

Rishtey Cineplex, an extension of the Rishtey brand, will also launch in North America (US and Canada) in October.

The channel will showcase the best from Viacom18’s library of films as well as newly acquired movies from across genres including dramas, romance, action, comedy and much more. The channel will air audience favourite films like ‘Bajirao Mastani’, ‘Airlift’, ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2’, ‘Kapoor & Sons’, ‘Ki & Ka’ and upcoming films like ‘Force 2’ and ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’.

Viacom18 group CEO Sudhanshu Vats said, “The Indian film industry has been growing in size, both in terms of reach and revenue, to have become the largest producer of movies in the world today. Our cinema, led by Bollywood movies, continues to increase its pull with the Indian diaspora abroad. Rishtey Cineplex, Viacom18’s first premium Hindi movie channel, has curated a repertoire of titles from across cinemas of India. It is our endeavour, as a future-ready organisation, to take Indian cinema, as a holistic entertainment package, to our loyal viewers in Europe and North America, allowing us to further strengthen our presence in the regions.”

Viacom18 CEO of Hindi mass entertainment Raj Nayak said, “Rishtey Cineplex has every ingredient that a movie buff would want to be engaged with. Global audiences today celebrate Indian films, and with the channel’s launch in Europe and North America, we are bringing this celebration to their living rooms. Indian films now have a universal appeal, as a result of which they taste tremendous success in international markets. The trend in consumption has been extremely encouraging, and we are certain that the viewers will lap up our content offering with great zeal.”

Rishtey Cineplex promises a host of properties like the morning, matinee, primetime and weekend line-ups consisting of blockbuster Hindi films and South Indian dubbed content. Along with films, the channel will showcase many interesting concepts including vignettes from various film festivals, behind-the-scenes trivia and coverage of exclusive red carpet